Eagle Farm Race 8: FKG Group Spear Chief Handicap 1500m

3/06/2016: Federal has been in good form this preparation and may be looking for the 1500m of this race at this stage of his career. This gelding has won 4 and placed for and has the stable and rider here to offer a real challenge in a race like this. Only beaten 0.4 lengths in a Group 3 race 2 runs back and probably needed the run last time out. Religify should get the lead here from a good draw and drops in grade here after close 2nd at Group 3 level last time out. A little query over the 1500m but should be in this for a long way. Hi World is dual Group 3 winner and has raced well fresh in the past. Trialled well recently and has the credentials to take out an event like this. Any betting moves could be significant. Heart Of A Warrior is a winner his only other run this track and was placed this level last run when 3rd at Doomben. Has to overcome a horror draw and break new class ground to win this but still should be around the mark at the business end. Bewhatyouwannabe is proven this level and is a winner at his only start this track and distance. Should be right in the thick of things here off a good draw.

This is a fairly straight forward race as I see Religify kicking forward from his beautiful barrier but at the same time allowing Beckham and Heart Of A Warrior, drawn barriers 19 and 21 respectively, to fight their way to the lead. Let’s face it: they have to from their barriers! Just behind this trio there a number of on pacers wanting to retain the advantage of their good barriers, particularly Electric Power, Spur Le Joeur and Glendar,) which all adds up to a strongly paced race providing all runners with a chance of victory, if good enough.